1. Career
Toni Jiménez's professional career spans both a notable period as a professional goalkeeper and a subsequent influential tenure as a coaching staff member across several top-tier football clubs, primarily collaborating with manager Mauricio Pochettino.
1.1. Playing career
Toni Jiménez's active years as a professional footballer saw him progress through various Spanish clubs, establishing himself as a reliable goalkeeper, and culminate in significant international appearances for Spain, most notably securing an Olympic gold medal.
1.1.1. Club career
Born in La Garriga, Barcelona, Catalonia, Toni Jiménez began his senior career with a stint at local giants FC Barcelona's third team. He made his professional debut on loan with neighboring club UE Figueres, where he played for two seasons in the Segunda División, initially as a backup and later becoming the first-choice goalkeeper.
In 1992, Jiménez moved to Rayo Vallecano after terminating his contract with Real Zaragoza. Although he initially served as a backup to Nigerian goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare, he gained an opportunity to make his La Liga debut against CD Logroñés in the second round due to Agbonavbare's injury. However, he finished the 1992-93 season on the bench once more after Agbonavbare's return.
The following year, in July 1993, Jiménez joined coach José Antonio Camacho at RCD Espanyol, which was then in the second tier. He became an undisputed starter during his six-year spell at the club, making nearly 300 competitive appearances. In his first season, the 1993-94 Segunda División campaign, he won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the Segunda División, contributing to Espanyol's promotion. Immediately afterward, Espanyol qualified for the UEFA Cup in the 1994-95 season, a testament to his consistent performance.
In the summer of 1999, Jiménez signed with Atlético Madrid. His time at Atlético proved largely unsuccessful; in his first year, he was barred by José Francisco Molina from the starting position, and the team from the capital was relegated at the end of the season. Furthermore, in the final of the 1999-2000 Copa del Rey against his former side Espanyol, Jiménez conceded a decisive goal when Raúl Tamudo dispossessed him of the ball with his head, securing a 2-1 victory for Espanyol. Despite the relegation, Jiménez remained with Atlético for two more seasons in the Segunda División. He regained his first-choice status in the first year in the second division but became a backup again in his second year, during which Atlético Madrid won the Segunda División title in the 2001-02 season, securing promotion back to La Liga.
In 2002, Jiménez, then 32, joined Elche CF in the Segunda División, where he successfully re-established himself as a starter, playing all 38 league matches and conceding only 39 goals. In January 2003, he returned to the top flight and Espanyol at the request of new coach Javier Clemente. After two seasons in his second spell with Espanyol, he retired from playing at almost 34 at the end of the 2003-04 campaign. He initially stayed with Espanyol in a directorial capacity but resigned in March 2006, coinciding with the departure of director of football Cristóbal Parralo.
1.1.2. International career
Jiménez achieved significant success on the international stage even before making his top-division club debut. He was selected by coach Vicente Miera for the 1992 Summer Olympics held in his hometown of Barcelona. Despite Santiago Cañizares having been the primary choice until then, Jiménez secured the starting position and played every match and every minute of the tournament, contributing significantly to Spain's gold medal victory.
Later in his career, Jiménez earned three caps for the senior national team over one year. His full international debut came on November 18, 1998, in a friendly match against Italy in Salerno, which ended in a 2-2 draw. This appearance was under the management of José Antonio Camacho, who had also coached him at Espanyol. Although he was considered a strong candidate to be selected as the third-choice goalkeeper for UEFA Euro 2000, the then 19-year-old Iker Casillas was ultimately chosen instead.
1.2. Coaching career
After retiring from his playing career, Toni Jiménez seamlessly transitioned into various coaching roles, primarily as a goalkeeping coach and assistant manager. He formed a strong and enduring partnership with manager Mauricio Pochettino, accompanying him through several prominent clubs across Europe.
Jiménez's initial coaching spell was in Catalonia, where he served as an assistant coach at Girona FC. In May 2009, he returned to Espanyol as a goalkeeper coach. Two years later, in 2011, he officially joined Pochettino's coaching staff at Espanyol as an assistant manager, marking the beginning of their long-standing collaboration.
Their partnership continued as Pochettino moved to Southampton in January 2013, with Jiménez joining him as part of the first-team coaching staff. In late May 2014, both Pochettino and Jiménez transferred to another Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur, where Jiménez continued his role in the coaching team.
After a successful period in England, the duo moved to France, spending two years in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain FC, starting in 2021. In May 2023, they returned to the English top flight, joining Chelsea, where Jiménez continued to contribute to team development until May 2024.
2. Honours
Toni Jiménez achieved several significant team and individual honors throughout his playing and coaching careers.
2.1. Club
- Segunda División:
- Winner: 1993-94 (with RCD Espanyol)
- Winner: 2001-02 (with Atlético Madrid)
- Copa del Rey:
- Runner-up: 1999-2000 (with Atlético Madrid)
2.2. International
- Summer Olympic Games:
- Gold Medal: 1992 (with Spain U23)
2.3. Individual
- Ricardo Zamora Trophy:
- 1993-94 (Segunda División)
- 1997-98 (La Liga)
3. Legacy and reception
Toni Jiménez's career has left a notable mark on Spanish football, both through his achievements as a goalkeeper and his enduring role as a trusted coach. His legacy is characterized by consistency, key contributions to team successes, and a long-term partnership with one of football's prominent managers.
3.1. Influence and impact
As a player, Toni Jiménez was recognized for his reliability and skill in the goalkeeper position. His two Ricardo Zamora Trophy awards, one in the Segunda División and one in La Liga, underscore his individual excellence and consistent performance over different levels of Spanish football. His ability to maintain a starting position for six years at RCD Espanyol and contribute to their promotion and European qualification demonstrated his impact on his team's success. He is remembered as an integral part of the Spanish U23 team that won Olympic gold, a significant achievement for his generation of footballers.
As a coach, Jiménez's influence is primarily observed through his steadfast collaboration with Mauricio Pochettino. This partnership, which has spanned over a decade and across multiple high-profile clubs in Spain, England, and France, highlights his value as a goalkeeping coach and assistant manager. His continuous presence on Pochettino's staff suggests a strong rapport and a shared coaching philosophy, contributing to the development of goalkeepers and overall team strategies at the elite level of European football.
3.2. Public and media reception
Throughout his career, Toni Jiménez maintained a reputation as a dedicated professional. While generally not a figure of major controversy, one notable incident that garnered media attention was his role in the decisive goal conceded during the 1999-2000 Copa del Rey final, where his former teammate Raúl Tamudo dispossessed him in a unique manner. This moment, though a personal setback, became a memorable part of the final's narrative. Despite this, his consistent performance as a player, particularly his Zamora Trophy wins, and his longevity in top-flight football were widely recognized and respected by the media and fans. His long-standing coaching partnership with Mauricio Pochettino further cemented his image as a highly regarded and stable professional within the football community.
